United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

A SPECIAL Communication was held on Wednesday , a ' Freemasons' Hall , in accordance with the Agenda published in our issue of the 18 th ult ., for the purpose of considering a message from the Most Worshipful Grand Master that he was of opinion that the time had now arrived when recognition might be properly accorded to the Grand Lodge of New Zealand , as an independent sovereign Masonic authority .

The Earl of Lathom Pro Grand Master presided , having among his supporters Bro . Victor Williamson as Senior Warden and Rev . W . K . Riland Bidford as Junior Wax-den , and his lordship formally moved the resolution , as already set out , requesting that ths Prince of Wales would be pleased to take

such steps for the recognition of the Grand Lodge , and for the establishment of fraternal good feeling with our New Zealand Brethren , as he might consider consistent with the honour of the Grand Lodge of England , and with just consideration for those Lodges which might desire to retain their connection with the Grand Lodge of England .

The Earl of Onslow Prov . G . M . Surrey seconded the motion . As a late Governor of New Zealand he knew the state of the Masonic feeling in the colony , and that the recognition , which had been previously sought and refused , would be highly prized . In all the Australian colonies similar movements had taken place

and recognition had been accorded . He had taken great interest in the Lodges of New Zealand , and was approached by the Brethren thereof , and asked to be their first Grand Master . He had asked the advice of the late Grand Secretary , Bro . Colonel

Shadwell Clerke , and as the result was obliged to decline the honour . Things had greatly changed since those days , and the Grand Lodge of New Zealand was now composed of some of the best Masons of the colony . He thought the resolution ought to be carried .

Lord Lathom , in answer to enquiry , said the resolution now submitted was exactly similar to what was carried years ago in the case of Canada . Bro . Baskett asked what were the reasons why some Lodges

desired to remain loyal ? If the resolution involved the insistence that all New Zealand Lodges must join the Grand Lodge of the colony ? If it was intended to abandon those who did not wish to do so ?

Bro . J . S . Cumberland deprecated the discussion , and hoped the resolution would be carried . Bro . Philbrick Grand Registrar replied that Bro . Baskett was under a misapprehension . Recognition merely involved that our Grand Lodge could not grant any fresh Warrants if it

recognised the Grand Lodge of New Zealand . -It was proposed

to follow the precedent of 1859 , when the Canadian Grand Lodge was recognised . Bro . Simpson P . G . Chap . asked Bro . Baskett to withdraw his opposition . The Grand Master would not have proposed the resolution without due thought and consideration , nor without the advice of the most prominent counsellors .

Bro . Philbrick said that so long as three Lodges desired to maintain their District Grand Lodge that would be accorded by the Grand Lodge of England , but if the number dwindled to two then the District Grand Lodge would lapse . Bro . J . M . Dargaville , as an old New Zealand colonist , also

hoped the opposition * would be withdrawn . The Grand Lodge of New Zealand now numbered some thousands of Brethren , and the existing state of affairs was a reproach to Freemasonry . Recognition would have to be accorded sooner or later , and the question was whether it should be done now unanimously , or grudgingly given some two or three years to come .

Bro . Greenwood , another colonist , of Lodge 2007 , also spoke and urged unanimity in the request now before Grand Lodge . Bro . Eve regretted that all the facts of the case were not 'before Grand Lodge , and stated that the Board of General Purposes had not been consulted . He did not oppose the principle of the resolution , but hoped that the existing English Lodges would be protected , and not coerced to join the New Zealand Grand Lodge .

Amendments by Bros . Baskett and Eve having been disposed of , the original proposition was carried , and thus the Craft advanced another " step towards unity . "

A few days ago an American clergyman called at the Deanery , at Rochester , with an offering for the Cathedral from the Freemasons of Rochester , New York , in the shape of a little bag filled with gold pieces , amounting to 130 dollars , or the sum of £ 26 , to be expended by Dean Hole in whatever way he thought

proper . The Dean has decided to purchase a processional cross with the money . The American clergyman will preach in the Cathedral to-morrow ( Sunday ) , and the Freemasons of the district are invited to attend the service . Dean Hole , it may be mentioned , is a Mason of 54 years standing ,

United Grand Lodge.

We are pleased to announce that Bro . W . A . Schultz W . M . 1107 and 1687 ( of the Royal Midshipman , Clerkenwell ) has recently become the proprietor of The Rugby , Great James Street ,

W . C . We believe it is the intention of Bro . Schultz to make large alterations at his new house for the comfort of his patrons , and when completed he hopes to have the pleasure of a visit from many of his fellow Masons . We wish him every success .

It is , of course , impossible for any institution , whatever its system , to govern the individual temperament of its members , and Masonry is no exception . We find men in the ranks , letterperfect in ceremonial work , having but a modicum of Masonry in their constitution . It has always been thus , and the most wa

can hope to do to lessen the effect is to make those within reach aware of their own weakness . Still its existence reduces the popularity of Masonry among those who do not understand the beauties and usefulness of the system itself . It is on record that a good citizen was deterred recently from becoming a member

because he had heard of a case of " brag " at the close of a Lodge meeting . In the same connection a ludicrous scene , though no doubt viewed differently by the parties involved , took place at a Lodge the other evening . A visiting Brother was called by the presiding officer , and a whispered conversation ensued , until the latter straightened himself and said sufficiently loud that all

present could hear , " You 11 have to withdraw that . ' He offered no explanation , and the Brother was left floundering and bewildered . He was only a visitor , and had no right of speech , so could not explain , and , probably to save a scene which looked imminent , he was understood to say that if anything had been

said out of place he withdrew it . The unfairness of the proceedings , however , must strike most Brethren . These are not Masonic acts . They are an exhibition of the man , not the Mason , and Masonry is none the worse , and certainly should not suffer through the individual member . — " The Mallet , " in " Glasgow Evening News . "

Shaftesbury Theatre . —There will be a special matinee of " The Little Genius " here on Wednesday next . The public will be pleased to hear that the charming Viennese Artiste Miss Annie Dirkens and- Mr . E . J . Lonnon have now recovered from their illness , and have resumed their original parts . The piece has been considerablv altered since the first

performance , and with new music , dances , & c , and the charming costumes which are the talk of London , far eclipsing even those selected by the late Sir Augustus Harris in " Cheer , Boys , Cheer" is now attracting crowded audiences to the above theatre , which , owing to its admirable hygenic properties is now the coolest lounge in London .

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GAIETY EESTATJRANT , STZR ^ ZCsTD . LUNCHEONS ( HOT and COLD)—At Popular Prices , in BUFFET and RESTAURANT ( on 1 st floor ) . Also Chops , Steaks , Joints , Entrees , & c , in the GRILL ROOM . AFTERNOON TEAConsisting of Tea or Coffee , Cut Bread and Butter , Jam , Cake , Pastry , ad lib , at 1 / - per head ; served from 4 till 6 in RESTAURANT ( 1 st floor ) . DINNERS IN RESTAURANTFrom 5-30 till 9 at Fixed Prices ( 3 / 6 and 5 / - ) and a la Carte . In this room the Viennese Band performs from 6 till 8 . Smoking after 7-45 . AMERICAN BAR . THE GRILL ROOM is open till 12-30 . PRIVATE DINING ROOMS FOR LARGE AND SMALL PARTIES . SPIERS AND POND , Ltd ., Proprietors .